To all those having trouble reaching a human at California Unemployment. I just ran across this video that gave me a shortcut to reach a human. Hope it helps! https://youtu.be/Ize0EkN4HDI

I've been dealing with a similar situation for weeks now. That message usually means they need additional documentation or there's a discrepancy they need to review. In my experience, you'll likely need to call them directly to find out exactly what they need. The wait times are brutal, but it's often the only way to get specific information about your case. Have you tried calling the technical support line? Sometimes they can at least tell you what documents might be missing from your file. Don't give up - many of us have gotten through this process, it just takes persistence.

One last thing to keep in mind: if you don't qualify for any extensions, you might be eligible to open a new claim after 12 months from the start date of your original claim, assuming you've earned enough wages in the meantime. This isn't an extension but a completely new benefit year. Also, while this isn't widely known, if your industry has been affected by any trade agreements, you might qualify for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), which provides additional benefits and training opportunities. Good luck with your call tomorrow - hope you get through and receive good news about the training extension!

@Hugo Kass - I just went through this exact situation in January! A few additional tips that might help: 1) When you call EDD, try calling right at 8am when they open - I had better luck getting through then. 2) If you do qualify for the training extension, ask about "bridge benefits" - some people don't know EDD can sometimes provide a small payment while your TE application is being processed. 3) For immediate help with rent, check if your county has emergency rental assistance programs - many still have COVID relief funds available. 4) Look into your local One-Stop Career Centers (America's Job Center) - they often have emergency assistance and can help you navigate the training programs. Don't give up, there are more options than it initially seems!

my cousin works at EDD and says they're way behind on everything right now just FYI

Just wanted to add - I'm also an adjunct (at a private college) and went through this same classification confusion last year. Definitely go with "Private Employer" as others have said. One thing that helped me was having all my employment documentation ready before starting the application - pay stubs, contract letters, etc. The system might ask for verification later and having everything organized made the process smoother. Also, if you taught at multiple institutions, you'll need to list each one separately as different employers. Good luck with your claim!

PSA: If you're having trouble with your claim, contact your local assemblymember's office. They can often help expedite things!

Same situation here! Just went through this last month. First thing - log into your EDD account and check your benefit year end date. If it hasn't passed yet, you might get an automatic extension. If it has passed, you'll need to file a new claim. Pro tip: even if your balance shows $0, keep certifying every two weeks - sometimes extensions kick in automatically and you don't want to miss any weeks. The whole process is confusing but don't lose hope!

FYI - just so you're prepared - when you certify and report income, your payment can be delayed that week while they review it. Happened to me several times when I was doing Uber on the side. Sometimes got stuck in pending for 3-5 days instead of getting paid right away.

Just wanted to add something important that hasn't been mentioned yet - keep detailed records of ALL your 1099 work! Save screenshots of your TaskRabbit earnings, dates you worked, and any communication with clients. EDD can audit your claim at any time, and having documentation makes everything much smoother if they have questions. Also, since you're doing gig work, you might want to set aside about 25-30% of those earnings for taxes. As a 1099 worker, you're responsible for paying self-employment tax on top of regular income tax. It's not related to your UI benefits, but it'll save you stress come tax time! One more tip - if any of your TaskRabbit gigs turn into regular recurring work with the same client, that could potentially be considered "suitable work" that you might be required to continue. Just something to keep in mind as you balance gig work with your job search.